Major Operations Target County Lines Drug Networks in Southport and Sefton

A two-day operation targeting suspected county lines drug operations has resulted in a number of arrests and 23 vulnerable children and adults being protected from future harm.

The operation (23 and 24 October) was the result of a coordinated effort between officers and staff from specialist county lines team Project Medusa and Sefton’s Local Policing Team, working in partnership with the British Transport Police (BTP) to ensure a joined-up approach to dismantle county lines networks.

Working with BTP, officers deployed at stations and on services across the rail network to identify any passengers travelling to and from the area who might have been involved in County Lines drug dealing.

Checks were also carried out at Southport Train Station and foot patrols were carried out in Bootle and the surrounding areas. Using technology and police intelligence, the roads networks were also targeted across Sefton to combat criminals exploiting major roads and motorways.

While this was happening, specialist officers and detectives targeted addresses in Southport and North Sefton based on intelligence about potential County Lines activity. The warrants led to two arrests and a quantity of Class A drugs seized.

During the operation, the County Lines Taskforce deployed with Outreach Workers from Change, Grow, Live (CGL) Sefton for the first time, to identify vulnerable people involved in county lines and provide bespoke support to end the cycle of reoffending and drug addiction. Catch 22’s Support and Rescue Service were also involved to ensure that the right help could be accessed quickly and effectively.

This collaborative effort resulted in 23 vulnerable children and adults being identified and referred to safeguarding services across the two days. 

The operation resulted in:

28 arrests – 13 of those arrested were on suspicion of possession with intent to supply and concerned in the supply of Class A and B drugs offences.
Two warrants – in Southport and North Sefton areas
Approx. £10,000 cash seized
82 stop searches 
71 new intelligence reports
Two vehicles seized
11 TORs issued
23 vulnerable children and adults referred to safeguarding services
Investigations are ongoing in relation to the arrests made.

Merseyside’s Project Medusa team was introduced in 2019 to tackle county lines drug dealing and the criminal exploitation of young people and vulnerable adults.

The team provide the daily force response to county lines in Merseyside, using covert and overt tactics to intercept weapons, drugs, and illicit cash, and identify vulnerable individuals exploited by county lines gangs.

Local Policing Superintendent Paul Holden said: “County Lines causes misery for our communities, so it is absolutely right that we continue to put significant effort into identifying and arresting those involved.

“This two-day operation across Sefton, which supplements our daily policing activities, resulted in 28 arrests, but most importantly 23 vulnerable people have been identified and are now working with our safeguarding partners Catch 22 and Change, Grow, Live.

“We’ve also gathered significant intelligence reports which will be used to prevent future crime and protect vulnerable people in our community.

“If something doesn’t feel right, it often isn’t, so please report it to us. Every piece of intelligence builds a picture and can help us close a criminal enterprise and prosecute county lines gangs who are targeting children, young people and the vulnerable.”

Gary Wright, from Change, Grow, Live Sefton said: “This operation provided some positive partnership working with some good outcomes and interventions.

“It was a great opportunity to work together to safeguard vulnerable adults and children. The more chances we get to work together will mean that we are able to support people to change their lives for the better.”